Energy in Demand News, June 2, 2024

Remember that the elections for the European Parliament are this coming week, June 6-9th. To help citizens to make informed choices on which political parties to lend their vote next week, CAN Europe cooperated with a number of climate and environmental organisations to create the EU Parliament Scoreboard – a tool which analyses European Parliament … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 2, 2024

Reports found many offsetting schemes do nothing to mitigate the climate crisis and biodiversity loss

Negative scientific and press reports on the efficacy of carbon credit projects has led to a ‘direct pullback in buyer investment’ in 2023. Patrick Greenfield discusses the issues in an article on the Guardian website.   Market value of carbon offsets drops 61%, report finds The market for carbon offsets shrank dramatically last year, falling … Continue reading Reports found many offsetting schemes do nothing to mitigate the climate crisis and biodiversity loss

Analysts expect the market to rapidly expand in the years ahead for ‘mass timber’

The material is touted as a way to quickly build more housing, but some builders think it's still too unproven. Paula Duhatschek discusses mass timber in an article on the CBC News website. Are any of you using or aware of mass timber?   Is mass timber the next big thing in cheaper, greener construction? … Continue reading Analysts expect the market to rapidly expand in the years ahead for ‘mass timber’

German government commits to CCS and hydrogen

In an article on the Euractiv website, a Reuters news item discusses this week’s approval by the German cabinet accelerate the integration of hydrogen and carbon capture into the country’s energy and industrial systems.   German cabinet approves carbon capture and hydrogen plans Germany’s cabinet approved on Wednesday (29 May) two draft bills to accelerate … Continue reading German government commits to CCS and hydrogen

Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all

Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environment. Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London, discusses the carbon footprint of ChatGPT in an article on the Guardian website.   The ugly … Continue reading Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all

Understanding how to make better energy storage devices

In an article on The Conversation website, Ankur Gupta, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder discusses what it takes to make better energy storage devices.   Understanding how ions flow in and out of the tiniest pores promises better energy storage devices Modern life relies on electricity and electrical devices, … Continue reading Understanding how to make better energy storage devices

New way to recycle cement from demolished concrete buildings

In an article on the BBC News website, Justin Rowlatt discusses a new way to recycle cement and massively reduce its carbon footprint. What are your views?   UK breakthrough could slash emissions from cement Scientists say they've found a way to recycle cement from demolished concrete buildings. Cement is the modern world's most common … Continue reading New way to recycle cement from demolished concrete buildings

“Misinformation about climate science that has sowed uncertainty”

In an article on The Conversation website, Gordon McBean, Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography and Environment, Western University in Canada writes about the misinformation from the oil and gas industry that is continuing to have a negative impact on effectively addressing climate change.   The oil and gas industry has been lying about global warming … Continue reading “Misinformation about climate science that has sowed uncertainty”

Beyond GDP

GDP has long been the main indicator of economic growth used almost everywhere in the world. However, the measurement does not take into account other factors essential to a country’s growth and development, such as social inequalities, the environment and the well-being of citizens. In an article on The Conversation website, these issues are discussed … Continue reading Beyond GDP

New EEA assessment on Europe’s bathing waters

Just as our thoughts turn to summer, we now get an assessment of bathing water sites in Europe. The vast majority of bathing water sites in Europe met the European Union's most stringent ‘excellent’ bathing quality standards in 2023, according to the latest annual bathing water assessment published this week. This represents 85% of Europe’s popular bathing waters. As much … Continue reading New EEA assessment on Europe’s bathing waters